Male models to take center stage at women’s Tour champs

By Simon Baskett

MADRID (Reuters) – Female models are once again engaged in
tennis ball-collecting duties at this week’s Madrid Masters,
but organizers say their male counterparts will take charge
when the women’s Tour Championships are held in the Spanish
capital next year.

The use of female models in place of the traditional ball
boys and girls for the televised matches sparked objections
from some local and national politicians who accused the
organizers of sexism when they were introduced last year.

This year the response has been more low key, but
organizers say the publicity stunt has been so successful they
will now use male models when the top eight women players
gather in Madrid for the WTA Tour Championships between
November 7 and 12 next year.

“The addition of a touch of fashion adds that extra element
of entertainment to the most important event on the WTA Tour
calendar,” said WTA Tour chief executive Larry Scott.

“The players aren’t only great athletes, they are also
fashion icons and this idea complements the crossover between
sport and fashion.”